Tangy Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing Recipe

Zesty Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing Recipe: Fresh & Tangy Flavor

Creamy and zesty, this tangy greek yogurt salad dressing reinvents the way you think about lighter, healthier condiments.

Packed with vibrant herbs and a subtle kick, the recipe brings fresh flavor to every leafy green.

Chefs and home cooks alike adore this simple yet sophisticated blend.

Whipping up this dressing takes mere minutes and requires just a few kitchen staples.

Each drizzle adds brightness and depth to salads, transforming ordinary greens into an extraordinary dish.

The combination of ingredients creates a smooth, velvety texture that clings perfectly to crisp vegetables.

You’ll want to keep this recipe close for quick, delicious meal preparations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 5

Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing Ingredient Breakdown

For Base and Creaminess:
  • Greek Yogurt: Provides a tangy, silky foundation that creates a luxurious and protein-packed dressing texture.
  • Olive Oil: Adds richness, smoothness, and a subtle fruity undertone while helping blend ingredients seamlessly.
For Brightness and Acidity:
  • Lemon Juice, Vinegar: Bring zesty freshness, balance flavors, and help cut through the creamy yogurt base with their sharp, vibrant notes.
For Flavor Depth and Seasoning:
  • Dijon Mustard: Delivers a spicy, complex kick and helps emulsify the dressing for a perfect smooth consistency.
  • Garlic: Introduces a pungent, aromatic layer that elevates the entire flavor profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and rounding out all other ingredients' natural tastes.
For Optional Fresh Complexity:
  • Chopped Herbs: Introduce a burst of garden-fresh flavor and visual appeal, allowing personalization of the dressing.

Tools to Whip Up a Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing

  • Mixing Bowl: Small-sized, perfect for whisking ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending yogurt, oil, and seasonings into a creamy texture.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps add precise amounts of salt, pepper, and mustard.
  • Measuring Cup: Accurately measures liquid ingredients like olive oil and lemon juice.
  • Cutting Board: For chopping fresh herbs, if desired.
  • Sharp Knife: Used to finely chop herbs or mince garlic.
  • Jar or Airtight Container: Ideal for storing dressing in the refrigerator.

How to Mix This Dressing to Perfection

  • Blend Creamy Base Grab a mixing bowl and whip together tangy Greek yogurt with silky olive oil, creating a luscious foundation for your dressing.
  • Awaken Flavor Parade Splash in zesty lemon juice and a hint of vinegar, then introduce Dijon mustard for a punchy kick that will make your taste buds dance.
  • Boost with Aromatics Crush fresh garlic and sprinkle salt and pepper, stirring everything into a harmonious symphony of tastes that will transform any salad.
  • Herb Magic (Optional) Finely chop your favorite fresh herbs like basil, dill, or parsley and fold them into the mixture for an extra burst of garden-fresh goodness.
  • Chill and Store Transfer your vibrant dressing into a sealed jar and refrigerate. It'll stay fresh and fabulous for a week – just give it a quick shake before drizzling over your salad.

Tweaks for Flavor, Texture, and Use

  • For an extra smooth consistency, blend the dressing in a food processor or use an immersion blender to eliminate any lumps and create a silky-smooth texture.
  • Make this dressing dairy-free by substituting Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or cashew cream for those with lactose intolerance or following a vegan diet.
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika, za'atar, or dried herbs to intensify the dressing's complexity and create a more robust taste experience.
  • Keep the dressing fresh by storing it in an airtight glass container and give it a quick shake before each use to reincorporate any separated ingredients.

How to Serve Over Greens or Grain Bowls

  • Fresh Veggie Dip Delight: Transform this creamy dressing into a zesty dip for raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers at your next party or snack time.
  • Salad Superstar: Drizzle generously over mixed green salads, grilled chicken salads, or hearty Mediterranean-style salad bowls for an instant flavor boost.
  • Sandwich and Wrap Magic: Use as a tangy spread for sandwiches, wraps, or as a delicious condiment for grilled meats and roasted vegetables to add a creamy, bright touch.
  • Marinade Marvel: Utilize as a quick marinade for chicken or fish, letting the yogurt's acidity tenderize the protein while infusing delightful herbal and garlic notes.

Keep This Homemade Dressing Fresh in the Fridge

  • Transfer the dressing to an airtight glass mason jar or sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Make a larger batch and store in the refrigerator for easy meal prep, allowing you to have a delicious dressing ready in minutes throughout the week.
  • Keep the dressing chilled at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste and texture for up to 7 days.
  • Natural separation might occur during storage – simply shake or stir the dressing vigorously before serving to restore its creamy consistency and blend ingredients perfectly.
Print
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Tangy Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing Recipe

Tangy Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing


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4.5 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Silky Greek yogurt dressing elevates simple salads with Mediterranean charm. Fresh herbs and tangy yogurt create a light, zesty companion for crisp greens that you’ll want to drizzle on everything.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

  1. Yogurt Base Preparation: Combine creamy Greek yogurt with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and tangy white wine vinegar in a medium mixing bowl, whisking vigorously until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
  2. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate zesty Dijon mustard, minced fresh garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the yogurt mixture, blending thoroughly to distribute aromatics and enhance depth of flavor.
  3. Herbal Enhancement: Fold in finely chopped fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley to introduce a vibrant, garden-fresh dimension to the dressing, ensuring even distribution throughout the creamy base.
  4. Seasoning Refinement: Conduct a taste test, carefully adjusting salt, pepper, or acid levels to create a perfectly balanced and harmonious flavor profile that complements various salad compositions.
  5. Storage and Preservation: Transfer the completed dressing to an airtight glass container or mason jar, refrigerate for optimal freshness up to one week, and gently shake or stir before each application to reincorporate any natural separation.

Notes

  • Use full-fat Greek yogurt for a richer, smoother texture that clings perfectly to salad greens.
  • Start with small amounts of garlic and vinegar, tasting gradually to prevent overpowering the delicate yogurt base.
  • Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley to create unique flavor profiles matching different salad types.
  • If dressing feels too thick, thin it with a splash of water or additional olive oil until desired drizzling consistency is achieved.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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